CHAPTER 78: THE HEAD HEALER

The Head healer walked along the hallway, his steps muffled. His face was calm and composed, but inside, his mind was a rolling mass of conflicting emotions.

He wore a long dark robe, his hands hidden behind leather gloves, and his eyes hooded.

Soon he reached a metal door that was guarded by Soulbearers guards with red eyes.

He slowed his steps. "I’m here to take a look at the patient."

His voice was calm and warm.

The Soulbearers nodded and stood out of the way. Warriors, soldiers, and almost everyone else don’t want to do anything to offend healers, especially the Head healer of Kragthar.

He smiled gently in return and went into the room, the door locked behind him.

"It’s almost as if they could really guard against what’s in this room," he muttered as he looked around.

The room was in near darkness with just enough light to see the large bed that took the middle and the person on it.

The person should have been lying down, but they were sitting up, a gentle smile on their face. "Head healer. You’re here as you promised."

The Head healer’s voice turned chilly. "Duke Frexon. You should be unconscious."

The Duke snorted. "I should, but I love the Dragon castle so much to leave it. The air here is different, you know. It’s the same air the Dragons breathe."

"Once," the Head healer corrected.

"Yes, once. But technically, a Dragon still breathes it now." Duke Frexon shifted on the bed and then winced. "I might not be unconscious, but I’m definitely still needing to heal.

"But tell me, Head healer, what is going on outside?"

The Head healer hesitated and then he sighed. "Not outside, but outside Kragthar. The army of the Red Leaves are here."

Duke Frexon didn’t look surprised by the news. He only nodded. "I see. Then I should probably stay here for more time to prevent a war. What do you think?"

The Head healer sighed. "What do you really want, Duke Frexon?"

The Duke looked at the Head healer and he smiled gently again in remembrance. There was a bit of history between them. They had saved each other before, a long time ago.

The Head healer was paying a debt he owed.

Duke Frexon spread his hands. "Everything that happened that night was not done with my approval. The Black Accord? I don’t know anything about them. I was betrayed by my allies. They wanted my head."

"They didn’t get it," the Healer hesitated. "They also tried to kill all the Vorrakyns. All the ones with red eyes."

The Duke looked at the healer with a thoughtful expression. "I see. I don’t know anything about that either."

"You won’t forget our promises," the Head healer said.

"I know, I know. You want Drenvar and the others dead, but you want to protect all the other Vorrakyn because they have suffered enough. I don’t know why you want to do this, but a promise is a promise and I will uphold my end."

The Head healer’s face tightened. "I am upholding my own now."

Duke Frexon smiled. "So you are. Don’t worry, it won’t be long. I’ll take control of this place from behind."

☆☆▪︎▪︎☆☆

Vacuse entered his room after a long ride back to the castle. He had left everything for Drenvar while he prepared for his own task.

He took a few steps into the room, his hand untying the band of his hair to free the mass of darkness on his head. He looked around with a sigh. "So, what did Ragna say, Kagerou?"

"Eh?" There was a slight distortion in the air and empty space seemed to peel back to reveal Kagerou crouching just before his bed. "How do you know I am here?"

Vacuse smiled. "I’ve seen your type of powers before. It’s a combination of air and light power. Very rare."

Beasts usually come with one type of Force... or magic. But on very rare occasions, some might have two. That was exactly what made Kagerou special.

He has air and light power that made him one of the most deadly assassins in the world.

"The common mistake is that you try so hard to make yourself nonexistent in this room, but that’s not what you should be doing. Even things that don’t breathe have a presence to them. Tables? Chairs? They all have a feel to them.

"But you? It’s like something that didn’t quite fit. For someone cautious, they would definitely know there was something not right."

Kagerou frowned. "So that can be used against me. I’ll work on it then."

Vacuse nodded.

Then he sat on his chair with a sigh.

Kagerou came to stand beside him. "I was inside the hall throughout yesterday night and I saw it all happen. Fortunately, I was able to protect Lord Ragna and we came out alive."

Vacuse nodded. "Thank you for the hard work yesterday. Your help was what gave me the advantage to fight back, and you also completed your mission."

One thing Vacuse had learned in his past life was to know how to thank people that deserve it. It’s what makes them more loyal towards their Lord.

Kagerou bowed with a satisfied expression, then his face smoothed again. "Then, what is the next thing to do? You said you still have a lot of work for me."

Vacuse nodded seriously. "Kagerou, we’ll be going to the Orcs to seek their help to break the siege that the Red Leaves are trying to set. And I have a lot of things to tell you.

"This new mission will have you doing a lot of important things, and I want to get you ready."

Kagerou smiled slowly like a cat.

"But before that, I got you something for completing your previous mission so successfully. Also, as my messenger, you need an edge," Vacuse said and went to the table.

He lifted a small wooden chest. "You remember this? I sent you to collect it yourself. Come and take a look."